Vestnik Project

SPJST February Věstník Project

This project earns a maximum 1 point in the SPJST Youth Merit Point System. To complete the project questions to earn 1 point in the SPJST Merit Point System, scan the QR Code below, or go directly to spjst.org/programs/vestnik-project/

David Motley was born July 20, 1968, in the dust bowl and the rattlesnake capitol of Texas called Sweetwater. He was the middle child and only son of Reese and Peggy Motley. His childhood was simple yet rewarding. David’s dad was a long-haul truck driver, and his mom was a seamstress. The first part of his childhood he grew

up in the city, building forts and playing army with neighborhood kids. The adventurous part of his childhood was spent bicycling, boating, fishing, and camping at Sweetwater Lake.

David has always enjoyed the outdoors, but later, he came to love it as he moved to Ennis in seventh grade. That’s when his life began to totally change. His father changed careers from a truck driver to a diesel mechanic, and his mom became office manager at a local newspaper. David’s family also became involved in the ranching industry. He learned valuable lessons of caring for and raising livestock, as well as the satisfaction of repairing equipment and tools. In school, David tried his hand at football and baseball, but later found the satisfaction and perseverance of cross country meets. In his spare time, he thoroughly explored the vast wilderness of living in the country. During those summer days, he fished and traversed the local Onion Creek in his homemade canoe which was an old 30gallon galvanized washtub. This would usually end up more of a cold swimming trip in the natural spring fed water than as a canoe trip. If you didn’t find David in the creek, he was usually laying around in a grassy spot of the wilderness daydreaming and watching the local wildlife.

Upon graduating from Ennis High School, David joined the United States Marine Corps. In the Marines, he learned to push himself and understand the value of teamwork and never giving up. He pushed past pain, fear, and uncertainty to accomplish goals. After leaving the service, David came back home and met a young Czech girl. They were married and blessed with two children, both of whom grew up in the SPJST Youth Program. Through his children’s participation in SPJST, David learned the

value of heritage.

During his adult life, David held many jobs—but none really sparked his passion until he began working in the adventure therapy field. While working at a local treatment facility, he ziplined for the first time. Terrified of heights and wondering how he got himself into this mess, he rode down that first zipline and immediately knew, “This is it! This is what I want to do with the rest of my life . . . helping people overcome their fear and truly experience life!”

David’s son Dustin was the connection that introduced David to Camp Kubena. Dustin was asked by Camp Kubena Director Rob Clift to come and

Get to Know Camp Kubena Assistant Director David Motley assist with high ropes one day in the late season of 2019. David’s passion for outdoor experience and his attention to safety was integral in the permanent hiring of David, not to mention his experience in team building. David has an ability to relate the low rope experiences to everyday life. While employed at Camp Kubena, David has expanded his Challenge Course Practitioner to a level 2. “Through my faith and life lessons, I continue to help assist children and adults overcome their fears and to enjoy life,” David said. —SPJST—